THE ETHIE WRECK

From the Western Star - December 17, 1919

The S.S. Ethie went ashore at Martin’s Point, between Cow Head and Boone Bay, during last week's storm and became a total wreck. Captain English, his crew and passengers escaped and reached Bonne Bay. The Ethie was engaged in the coastal trade between Bay of Islands and Labrador, and is the second of the Reid Newfoundland Coastal fleet to end her days on the North West Coast. She was on the way south, having left Cow Head at 8 o’clock Wednesday evening for Bonne Bay, hoping to reach that port before the bursting of the impending storm. But the storm came on shortly after the ship put out. Particulars of her going ashore are not yet to hand. The telegraph line to Bonne Bay was put out of Commission by the gale and it was impossible to hear from that section of the country. When the ship, however, did not turn up by the end of the week much concern was felt for her safety, and the various wireless stations were applied to for any tidings of her. But nothing could be learned of her fate until Monday evening when a messenger reached Deer Lake from Bonne Bay with the intelligence as cited above.

From other authentic sources, however, we learn that the Ethie, unable to steam the raging hurricane, drifted from daylight on Thursday till noon when she was beached. A line was fired from the ship, but got caught up amongst the boulders, so the people of Martin’s Point sent out one of their dogs, a very sagacious animal to bring it ashore. The ship had sixty passengers on board, and her crew numbered thirty two; all of whom were safely landed by means of a boatswain’s chair on a line set up from the ship to the shore. One little baby of eighteen months of age was transferred to land in a mail bag. All underwent a most thrilling experience and suffered much from intense cold. No doubt when full particulars are learned it will be found that their miraculous escape from the deep was due in no small measure to the skillful seamanship of Captain English.

ETHIE’S PASSENGERS ARRIVE

From the Western Star - December 29, 1919

The passengers of the Reid Newfoundland Company’s coaster Ethie, which went ashore last week, arrived in town at ten minutes to eight last evening, having come on a special train which left Humbermouth on Tuesday evening. Terrific snow storms were met on the long run cross country, and several times the train was stalled in deep banks of snow. But slow speed was made throughout the entire trip and the train hands state that the experience was the worst they have ever been through.


Back to Top

Back to Documents